Understanding FMC and TFM Technologies

Why TFM?
Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) offers the FMC—An Acquisition Strategy TFM—Image Reconstruction
capability to electronically steer and focus beams
1 The first element transmitter is 2 All of the elements receive the 4 Element 2 pulses, and the cycle 5 All of the elements receive the 6
pulsed from a probe, producing multiple A-scans activated returning acoustic pulses in parallel continues returning acoustic pulses in parallel Delay
Delay and sum processing is
applied to all the A-scans, using
that are assembled in frames at a relatively high the expected delay for a selected
Sum mode of propagation to a specific
rate. However, one drawback is that the frames position in the TFM zone
are focused at a single, constant depth. Reflectors 1 1

located outside the focal region appear blurry

and somewhat larger than an identical reflector in The same process is done for all
7 8
the focal zone. 3 All elementary A-scans are stored
Probe
pixels in the TFM zone

The total focusing method (TFM), which uses data

9 The completed cycle =
obtained through full matrix capture (FMC), helps 1 TFM image/frame
TFM zone
solve this resolution problem while maintaining an
1 pixel is reconstructed from the
acceptable productivity level. TFM processing retains amplitude of the summed A-scans
Time

only the amplitude at focalized points in the region of

interest (the TFM zone), producing a highly resolved
image everywhere in this zone and not just over a
single line of depth.
Receiv
ers Transmitters

Total Focusing Method Modes

Pulse-echo Self-tandem
TFM pulse-echo (PE) inspection is similar to phased array inspections that are either by first-leg longitudinal waves and shear waves or second-leg shear waves. In TFM In TFM self-tandem (ST) inspection, the beam path
pulse-echo modes, the sound propagates either directly from the probe to the defect and back or directly from the probe to the back wall, to the defect, back to backwall, goes from the probe, skips off the back wall, hits the
and back to the probe. defect, and then travels straight back to the probe.
PE longitudinal waves are typically used in zero-degree contact applications, such as corrosion detection. PE shear waves can be used to monitor volumetric defects, such Reflections off the back wall or a defect generate
as inclusions and porosity. Second-leg shear waves can be used to detect angled flaws, such as along weld bevels. mode-converted signals. In self-tandem modes, the
image is calculated using a combination of these
longitudinal wave (LW) and shear wave (SW) mode-
converted signals. They are typically used for vertical
or angled weld bevel flaws.

What to Consider When Using TFM

Setting the TFM Zone Choosing the Right Probe
The TFM zone is the area of the part where the Probe characteristics are as influential in TFM imaging
technician chooses to view the image. This is as they are in conventional UT or phased array
adjusted by the technician and can be moved imaging. Despite that TFM beamforming is achieved
anywhere within the part volume. synthetically (in transmission and reception) based
on FMC data, factors such as the size of the probe
aperture, element pitch, and the frequency have an
important impact on the TFM imaging results. The
TFM uses the same probes as the phased array
technique, so the focusing of the TFM zone is limited
by the same physical principles. Typically, higher
frequency probes can focus further into the part and
lower frequency probes focus nearer to the probe.
TFM Zone Probes with larger apertures can focus further from
If the TFM zone extends beyond the near-field the probe and smaller apertures, closer to the probe.
depth of the probe, the pixels in that portion of the
image will appear out of focus. Learn more about
the limitations that the probe imposes on the TFM in
“Choosing the Right Probe.”
2L64-A2 – pitch 0.75 mm 5L64-A2 – pitch 0.6 mm 7.5L60-PWZ1 – pitch 1.0 mm
Good resolution and sensitivity near the surface Good resolution and sensitivity near middle zone Good resolution and sensitivity distant zone

Impacts of Part Scan Planning Using AIM

Characteristics
The OmniScan™ X3 flaw detector’s Acoustic Influence
Map (AIM) enables users to see the predicted
The amplitude displayed on the TFM image depends acoustic sensitivity distribution of different modes
on the correspondence between assumed and true in the TFM zone in advance. It can also help users
part characteristics. In PE modes, if the user enters ensure that the probe and wedge configuration is
a part velocity that differs significantly from the effective for their inspection. They can use this to
true value, the TFM results can contain misplaced create a more effective scan plan.
indications, and the modeled focalization will not be
in line with the actual one, affecting the displayed
amplitude. In ST modes, an error in the input wall
thickness value severely affects the amplitude ST mode image of a 20 mm thick block with the ST mode image of of a 20 mm thick block with the
wall thickness value correctly input as 20 mm wall thickness value incorrectly input as 22 mm
because the transmission and reception beams will
not cross at the expected position.

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